OUR BLOG.

​I am a chef. Dry January is not something I’d considered, ever, in my adult life. I did need a small selection of alcohol free beers to get me through the month. Let’s take a look at what helped me get through the challenge of not getting to have a little drink after service – which is a practically nightly occurrence.

Chefs are a strange breed, we don’t view particular times the same way most people do: December - too busy to party, Bank Holidays - what and when are those?, nights off – great it’s normal people’s school nights. When Christmas is over, however, and January signals the new year, us chefs get to relax a bit; the restaurants aren’t so busy and we might get a couple of days off in a row here and there. And what makes people feel more normal than a full weekend off (usually not at the weekend) and de-stressing with a glass (bottle) or two of wine?

So Dry January – what changed? I hear you cry – well, to be honest nothing really. My girlfriend downloaded the app, asked me if I reckoned I could do it, I took on the challenge, and then I skipped after service wine for a month. Let’s take a look at some of the beers that could get you through dry February (it’s probably not a thing but it’s also never too late to start):​

Becks Blue – Sitting at <0.05% ABV this is one for the true believers. I think a chef could also find pleasure too. Not Craft beery – good ol’ fashioned cheap beer taste if albeit a little watery without any booze flavour. Cheap and cheerful adult soda, still gives you that feeling of a service well done, I can confirm!

Brewdog Nanny State – Alright sitting at 0.5% ABV this one has slightly more alcohol than the Becks but at a measly 0.16 units per bottle, you aren’t likely to get drunk anytime soon. Brewdog says ‘It is a true saviour, brewed with eight different malts, six different hops to 50 IBU and yet at 0.5% ABV’. Yeah, tasty, crafty, it’s pretty good.

Big Drop Brewing Stout – This is an interesting brewer in that they are dedicated to making beers with an ABV of <0.5%. I tried their award-winning Stout – I am, I have to say a fan of stouts, and I was extremely impressed with the finish of this one. Coffee, cocoa nibs, a good texture – it didn’t have that feeling of missing-the-alcohol wateriness that the other two had and this is important for a Stout. This is my go to Dry January day-off beer.

I am not a fan of heavily-hopped modern-style IPAs that Brewdog are known for; I’m more of a knitted-jumper, country-walking Ale and Stout drinker. And if you are like me, you’ll definitely find something to like from Big Drop Brewing – fun fact, they’re brewery is based in Maidenhead, just outside London. Becks Blue on the other hand is your cheap, easy drinking post-service beer, neck a couple of cold ones after a busy night – who needs booze anyway. One more day of Dry January for me and I can’t wait for a glass of wine…